News

USM Honors Veterans at Spires Nov. 16 Football Game

11/7/2013 12:00:00 AM

Spires Football Game 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16

(Leavenworth, Kan.)—The University of Saint Mary will continue its annual tradition of honoring the brave men and women who have served and are serving this country at the USM Spires home football game the weekend following the Nov. 11 Veterans Day holiday. All veterans, active-duty military, and military family members are invited to attend the game free of charge.

The USM game is at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at USM’s Football/Soccer Complex on the university’s main campus in Leavenworth, 4100 South 4th Street. The Spires Football Team hosts Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference opponent Friends University for USM’s final home game of the regular season.

Prior to the start of the game, the Leavenworth High School Junior Army ROTC will be presenting the colors. Veterans will also be honored with a special ceremony at halftime.

“This is a great way for Saint Mary to honor all veterans, active-duty military, and their dependents for their important service to this country,” said Carlton Philpot, assistant professor of business and USM’s veterans’ affairs coordinator. Philpot is also a retired U.S. Navy commander with 24 years of service to his record. “We want all veterans to know that we truly appreciate their sacrifices.”

—USM will also honor the veterans, active-duty, and military families within its university community at a special gratitude and pinning ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the Mead Hall Walnut Room. Among the special guests in attendance at the event will be Lt. Gen (ret.) Richard Keller, former Chief of Staff, U.S. European Command, and current USM Board of Trustees member; Col. Timothy Wulff, Garrison Commander at Fort Leavenworth; and Kansas Representative Lt. Col. Melanie Meier, of Kansas House District 40.

The university will also participate in Leavenworth’s Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11.

The University of Saint Mary is a VA Yellow Ribbon Program participant, and has been designated as a Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC). USM was also recently named a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs magazine for the fourth consecutive year.

Contact Carlton Philpot at (913) 682-5151, ext. 6424, for more information on the event, or visit www.stmary.edu/veterans for info about the Yellow Ribbon Program, the new post-9/11 GI Bill, and other educational benefits available for veterans, active-duty, and their dependents.